A grizzly bear attack on a group of schoolchildren and teachers in Canada has injured 11 people, two of them critically.
Armed police and conservation officers are on the scene, but the “aggressive bear” remains on the loose, according to the self-governing local indigenous community Nuxalk Nation.
Residents have been warned by local authorities to remain indoors and not to go looking for the bear.
The attack took place on Thursday afternoon in Bella Coola, British Columbia, 435 miles northwest of Vancouver, while the group of fourth and fifth graders were on a walking trail with teachers.
Veronica Schooner, whose son was in the elementary class group which was attacked, said a lot of people had tried to halt the attack and that bear spray had been used.
She added that a male teacher “got the whole brunt” of the attack and was among those taken away by helicopter.
Ms Schooner added that her son was so close to the animal that “he even felt its fur”, but that the animal “was going after somebody else”.
She said his shoes were muddy from running for safety, adding: “he keeps crying for his friends – right away he started praying for his friends.”
The students attend Acwsalcta School, an independent school run by Nuxalk First Nation in Bella Coola.
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A Facebook post said the school would be closed on Friday, and counselling for those affected would be made available.
A school statement read: “It’s hard to know what to say during this very difficult time. We are so grateful for our team and our students.”
In a separate post, it was announced that every student would be dropped off at their homes by bus or SUV.
